Brilliant Bryson claims maiden win in Dubai

Bryson DeChambeau claimed his maiden European Tour title in style on Sunday, producing a closing 64 to win the 30th anniversary edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by seven shots.

The World Number Five had set himself the target of securing his first professional overseas win at Emirates Golf Club ahead of the event, and he duly delivered, carding an eagle, seven birdies and a single bogey on day four to finish the week on 24 under par and set a new tournament record.

Last year’s champion Li Haotong, who played alongside DeChambeau in the final round, had held the previous record after producing a winning score of 23 under in 2018.

Matt Wallace finished alone in second place on 17 under after closing his round with back-to-back birdies to sign for a 68. Englishmen Paul Waring and Ian Poulter, and Spaniards Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Quiros were another stroke back in a tie for third.

Player Quotes

Bryson DeChambeau: “Today I was happy with my game. I executed a lot of great shots. It was obviously a lot of fun to be able to finally hoist an international trophy, I’m so happy about that.

“It’s incredibly special. I’ve always dreamed of winning any Tour event, and to have this many under my belt, I don’t even know what I have right now. You know, being able to win internationally is something that I’ve always wanted to do after winning so many times in the States and to get it at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic is incredible. It’s literally a dream come true. I couldn’t be more honoured to win this event.

“Coming back here as a professional, being an amateur in 2016, I was expecting a lot of good things. I knew I could play really well if I was striking the ball well and if I figured out some putting stuff and I did this week. I made a lot of putts with the flag in, with it out, it didn’t really matter too much. But again, going back to it being my first international win, I really couldn’t be more pleased to have this tournament be my first European Tour win.

“Last year I was hitting the ball really well most of the year, but it seemed like at every Major, my ball-striking kind of left me for a little bit at those Majors. That’s really why I didn’t play as best as I could. I believe if I have the ball-striking capabilities like I did today, and even maybe hopefully a little bit better, if I can clean up stuff like that, I can definitely contend.”

Matt Wallace: “Really good in parts, really shabby in parts. Not good enough to put any pressure on, but just about good enough to get second.

“I’ve got to take the positives from that early on in the season to get the juices flowing like that and to play with Ernie, I mean, I didn’t see myself having 165 yards in for my third on the last to try and get it done, but I’ll learn from that. Overall, very happy.

“I wanted to give it a go today. I really wanted to put some pressure on Bryson. He was obviously struggling and scoring well. Credit to him, he’s played great today from what I hear and a worthy champion of this week and it’s great to have him here. But I’ll try and get him next time.”

Sergio Garcia: “A solid week. There’s no doubt, I finished top five, I would say. It was a nice week. Just wish I would have putted a little bit better in the middle rounds more like I did today on the first day. Unfortunately some of the rounds I played best is when I putted the worst. Overall, it’s another solid week and we keep building momentum. Just have to keep going the same way.”

Ian Poulter: “It wasn’t easy. Greens are starting to firm up and a couple of those pin locations are tough to get at. So really happy obviously with that result. Last week was a slightly different feeling, tripling 16, but to finish with three birdies in the last three holes today, it obviously kind of makes amends for some of that last week.”